Man's severed fingers couldn't be reattached

Workmates saved a man's four fingers severed in a forestry accident yesterday, but they were unable to be reattached.

The 20-year-old man was working in the Wharerata Forest, southwest of Gisborne, when a steel cable pulled his hand into a pulley, severing the four fingers on his right hand.

He was flown to Gisborne Hospital, then transferred to Waikato Hospital last night.

Despite workmates recovering the fingers and keeping them safe in a plastic bag, Waikato Hospital spokeswoman Mary Anne Gill said it had proved impossible to reattach them.

He was expected to go into surgery later today. His hospital roommate also severed four fingers yesterday.

The 59-year-old, from Turangi in the Central North Island, lost his fingers and damaged a hand trying to free a branch stuck in a mulcher.

Department of Labour Hawke's Bay and East Coast service manager Murray Thomson said the organisation was concerned at the number of fatalities and serious harm incidents that occurred in the forestry industry.

"This level is reflected in the accident rate in the Hawke's Bay East Coast region," he said.

There have been 48 "serious harm incidents" investigated by the department in the Gisborne area since 2006.

There have been six incidents this year, while last year there were 12, with 19 in 2007 and 11 in 2006.

Mr Thomson said the department was working with local industry employers and contractors, to make forests and logging operations safer.

"Forestry is traditionally a dangerous industry and everyone has to part to play in keeping themselves and others safe," he said.

"Any workplace fatality is one too many.

"Everyone has the right to return home from work safe and in good health."

- NZPA